I have just fixed a blown head gasket but cannot get the **** thing started. It is popping in the carbs and appears to fire but so as to fight the direction of the starter (ie when it fires, the starter stops and has to wind itself up again).
All in all, it looks like an engine timing problem. I was careful not to disturb the timing while the head was off, but its possible something happened. So I've got the #1 lobes pointing away, but I've got 3 timing marks on my crank pulley (see attached - there is another one too). Even allowing for this, the only adjustment will be one hole on the inlet cam.
How can I be sure which pulley marking is correct? Put a dowel in #1 and find its high point?
That's exactly what I did. The previous owner started a water pump swap, but didn't finish it. I couldn't find the pointer anywhere, so I had to start from scratch. Used some coat hanger wire to make a temporary pointer until the new pump gets bolted.
Check check and double check all timming marks dizy cam lobs and front timming cover marks. Youll be amaised how much you can loose on the cams by winding the engine backwards . ayaou need to turn the engine all the way roung in the direction of fire.
These are all good points. I checked the distributor visually to make sure it was near #1 when #1 was TDC, but will check again. Will put a dowel in #1 to ensure I have it at TDC.
my 74 has a habit of slipping the timing, it always slips to retard and starts backfireing thru the carbs. I have tried several loc tite products to hold the stud that clamps the distributor, but it still slips.
cliff
Maybe you should get another clamp? I've never had this happen on an Alfa. Fiat 850s were famous for spinning distributors 30 years ago, and points that wouldn't stay where you set them. I haven't had this problem with Alfa Bosch or Marelli distributors though.
Andrew
Which nut, on the horizontal clamp bolt, or on the vertical hold-down stud to the front cover?
You have a lock washer, and/or a lock nut? Or you can double-nut it (the hold-down stud at least), which I did on a Giulia TI, now that you've jogged my memory, when the nut backed off and the dist popped out at 75 mph on I-5 20 years ago. That shuts the engine off pretty quickly.
Sounds like the distributor is 180 out. When you have what you think to be TDC on no.1 shine a light down into no.4 and you should be able to see the edge of the exhaust valve open below the spark plug hole. Mullet has it right, check, check and double check. Good luck!
Turns out the ignition was off about 90 degrees, not sure how this happened.
thanks,
//dean
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